John Milton’s <i>Samson Agonistes </i> : An Allegorical Self-Portrait of Milton after the Restoration

Abstract

John Milton’s Samson Agonistes is an allegory with similarities between the biblical character of Samson and Milton’s personal experiences during the tumultuous Restoration period. Samson is Milton’s avatar, the image of himself existing both physically and metaphorically in the person of Samson, the Israelite judge and renowned hero of Hebrew mythology. At the same time, Milton navigated through the themes of oppression, blindness, and the ultimate victory over adversaries comparable to the return of King Charles II and the Restoration monarchy. Samson Agonistes is an allegory featuring the commonalities of the biblical journey of Samson and Milton’s real-life experiences during the Restoration. We examined how Milton physically and metaphorically showed his likeness to Samson. The allegorical and symbolic relations between Samson and Milton are mighty and multifaceted. Both characters appear to be entirely directed by some divine plan, where Samson’s physical conflicts with the Philistines emulate Milton’s philosophical and spiritual struggle against political and religious oppression. Temptation, weakness, and repentance are the main issues in their stories, showing both the character and spiritual duels they must go through. Moreover, Samson’s character, as Milton’s embodiment of blindness, is the vehicle through which the writer achieves his most profound insight, which is, of course, the idea that the human frailty that they both share is the main theme in both epics. Milton’s major exploration includes how his loss of vision and the overcoming of difficulties contributed to Samson’s storyline, which ends the play with the acts of redemption that demonstrate their invincible will. Milton’s literary tenacity, despite the tragedy of his blindness, mirrors Samson’s final act of strength and destruction, which constitutes the indisputable commitment to the causes they defend. Ultimately, Samson Agonistes is a dramatic retelling of a biblical story. At the same time, it is a highly personal allegory telling Milton’s story of self-devotion, penitence, and steadfast adherence to principle amid seemingly unconquerable adversity.